MONTEREY, Calif. (September 25, 2013) - The AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. will be one final chance for the competitors to amend their 2013 record with a positive performance. The race will also be held on the international stage as support for the FIM Superbike World Championship, giving the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing riders a chance to shine before the international crowd.

The season has been a remarkable one for Cameron Beaubier (No. 6 Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6) and the Californian will have a chance to do it again in front of his home crowd. Beaubier has clinched the season's crown in a year that's seen him break the record for most wins in a season with 11 and he has also claimed pole position in all 12 races. While the races have been generally close in 2013, Beaubier has had the steam to pull away at the end, managing his resources for the late-race push that has become his trademark.

Beaubier's future is bright, and many feel this will be his last race in GoPro Daytona SportBike as he is expected to move up the rungs on the racing ladder. What better graduation present would a 12th win be? If he can manage another win, the goal for future riders wanting to top Beaubier will be perfection. And if he wins in California, Beaubier will have closed the season with 10 straight victories.

Beaubier will no doubt be motivated to finish the year with another victory, especially after winning at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in July on the series' first stint out west this season.

The battle for second place in the points is still unfinished, with Jake Gagne (No. 32 RoadRace Factory/Red Bull Yamaha YZF-R6) leading Garrett Gerloff (No. 8 Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6) by 19 markers. The wide margin may be narrowed by the shoulder injury Gagne suffered at New Jersey Motorsports Park earlier this month, but don't discount the Californian just yet. He recently had surgery to repair the broken collarbone and the young star heads to Monterey in recovery.

Gagne consolidated second in the points early in the season with a string of second-place results and a strong win at Road America, but the Californian had a tough time finding the ideal setting at Miller Motorsports Park and the New Jersey crash put him out of that race. Gerloff, on the other hand, is working from a position of strength, having finished second in four of the previous five races. Gerloff found his form at the first Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca race and has kept up the pressure ever since, watching the points gap shrink.

Gagne's points lead will be tough to top in the single race weekend, but Gerloff will no doubt be going for it in California. The race also serves as the last chance for Gerloff to top teammate Beaubier, one of his stated goals for the 2013 campaign.

JD Beach (No. 95 RoadRace Factory/Red Bull Yamaha YZF-R6) is fourth in the points on the strength of a solid 2013 season. Beach had finished in the top five in every 2013 GoPro Daytona SportBike race until the New Jersey round. The Kentuckian had the save of the year during qualifying, but bruising forced him to miss Saturday's race. While running at the front in Sunday's final he unfortunately suffered machine troubles that put him out. A good result at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca would put a nice cap on his season.

The battle for fifth place in points is hot, with Jake Lewis (No. 85 Meen Motorsports Racing Yamaha YZF-R6) and James Rispoli (No. 43 National Guard/Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R600) tied at 172. It is also significant because both men are class rookies.

The back-and-forth battle between the two former AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport stars has been interesting. Lewis has shined brighter, earning the podium at Road America and New Jersey, where he pushed Beaubier hard throughout the weekend. The Kentucky resident also has a string of fourth place finishes to his credit. Rispoli, though, has been more consistent, finishing eighth or better in every race this year.

Three class veterans line up next in points. After finishing second in the GoPro Daytona SportBike championship last season, Dane Westby (No. 5 GEICO Motorcycle Road Racing Honda CBR600RR) hasn't been able to recapture that magic in 2013 as his team switched to new equipment. Westby has shown signs of breaking out and does have a bevy of solid finishes to his credit this year. The Oklahoman was able to run strong in New Jersey in a pack of riders fighting for fourth place in race two.

Two Triumph pilots will be battling for the next spot in the standings this weekend. Just a sole tally separates Jason DiSalvo (No. 40 Latus Motors Racing Triumph Daytona 675) and Bobby Fong (No. 50 D&D Cycles/Castrol/Triumph Daytona 675). DiSalvo was strong in the first Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca meeting, running at the front before the red flag. He'll need to find that form to hold off Fong, who earned the podium in New Jersey and will look to bookend his season on the box after earning third at the opener in the DAYTONA 200.

Benny Solis (#3 M4 Hotbodies Racing Honda CBR600RR) enters the season finale sitting 10th in the GoPro Daytona SportBike point standings. Solis has earned wins in both Red Bull Rookies competition as well as AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.comSuperSport at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and will look to put together another strong performance this weekend in the final race of the season.

With the Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport season wrapped up, some of the top riders in that class have been invited to give AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike a shot and have augmented the field to an impressive 41 riders. Those new faces include Overall and West champ Tomas Puerta (No. 12 RoadRace Factory Yamaha YZF-R6), who will race alongside RoadRace Factory teammates Gagne and Beach. East champ Corey Alexander (No. 23 National Guard/Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R600) will do the same alongside Rispoli. Second-place East finisher Hayden Gillim (No. 69 Meen Motorsports Racing Yamaha YZF-R6) was invited to race for Meen Motorsports following his strong season.

GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing is the premier motorcycle road racing series in North America and is universally regarded as one of the most competitive road racing organizations in the world. The 2013 schedule consists of nine rounds of competition on the country's finest road courses. The Series is comprised of four production-based classes: AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike, AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport and the AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series. Learn more about GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing at www.amaproracing.com/rr/.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:

Return To The Blue Lagoon As The Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams Share The World Spotlight This Weekend At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Cypress, CA - September 25, 2013 – The road racing season reaches its exciting conclusion this weekend as the Yamaha U.S Road Racing SuperBike and Daytona SportBike teams make a return visit to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to compete on the global stage during the World Superbike Weekend. With one race left in the SuperBike and Daytona SportBike classes, there is still much at stake for the Yamaha riders.

MONSTER ENERGY/GRAVES/YAMAHA: HERRIN & HAYES

Leading the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship, and poised to win the first professional road racing title of his career, is the rider of the #2 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 Josh Herrin. Coming into Laguna Seca, Herrin leads the Championship by 22 points over his teammate and three-time defending AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champ Josh Hayes. In order to win the 2013 SuperBike title, Herrin--who has four SuperBike wins and 13 top-five finishes this season--needs to finish 10th or better in Sunday’s final race of the season

But, if we’ve learned anything from this unpredictable SuperBike season, it’s that anything can happen. Herrin won’t take Hayes for granted, as Hayes tries to earn his eighth-consecutive pole position for a perfect qualifying record on the season. He’ll also be trying to win his eighth SuperBike race this year.

At the Yamaha SuperBike team’s last visit to Laguna Seca this past July, Hayes and Herrin qualified first and third, respectively, and then Hayes won the race, while Herrin finished second.

In the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike class, Cameron Beaubier, rider of the #6 Y.E.S./Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6, clinched his first professional championship--and Yamaha’s first DSB title--a little less than two weeks ago at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Cameron has won all but one DSB race this season, and he’d like nothing better than to get his 12th win of the year in front of all his family and friends who’ll be traveling from nearby Roseville, CA, to support Cameron. He’d also like to earn his eighth pole position of the season as well, which would give him a perfect qualifying record in 2013. This past July, Cameron broke the track record at Laguna Seca, so look for the newly crowned champ to try to go even faster this weekend.

Garrett Gerloff, rider of the #8 Y.E.S./Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R6 and Cameron’s teammate, will be trying hard to get the race win that, thus far, has eluded him this season. Garrett has finished second to Cameron five times this year, so he’d like nothing better than to beat his teammate in Sunday’s final race. Currently sitting in third place in the Championship points standings, Garrett has a good shot to move into second with a good result this weekend.

At the Yamaha DSB team’s last visit to Laguna Seca this past July, Cameron and Garrett qualified first and second, respectively, and then Cameron won the race, while Garrett finished second.

The final DSB race of the 2013 season will go green on Sunday at 9:30 AM PT.

VISIT THE YAMAHA MARKETPLACE AND DEMO A 2014 FZ-09

The highly popular Yamaha Marketplace, which is located in the track infield between turns 5 and 6 at the Raceway, is back for this weekend, and it’ll be open on Friday, September 27 from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM; on Saturday, September 28 from 8:30 AM to 5 PM; and on Sunday, September 29 from 8 AM to 3:30 PM.

You’ll be able to take a demo ride aboard the all-new 2014 Yamaha FZ-09 three-cylinder Super Sport bike. Demo rides will take place at the Yamaha Marketplace on Friday, September 27 from 9 AM to 5:30 PM; on September 28 from 9 AM to 4 PM; and on Sunday, September 29 from 9 AM to 1 PM. You’ll need a valid motorcycle license (permits are not allowed), a DOT-approved helmet, long pants, enclosed shoes, a shirt, and eye protection to take your ride.

Also, on Sunday afternoon from 12:15 to 1:10 PM, Josh Hayes, Josh Herrin, Cameron Beaubier, and Garrett Gerloff will be greeting fans and signing autographs in the paddock at the Yamaha teams’ transporters. The R1 SuperBikes and R6 Daytona SportBikes will be on display, and the Monster Energy and Yamaha Extended Service Umbrella Girls will be there, too.

FOLLOW THE YAMAHA U.S. ROAD RACING TEAMS

For more news, results, and other team info, be sure to check out Yamaha’s Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @YamahaMotorUSA.

Fresh from winning the 2013 AMA Pro Road Racing SuperSport East Championship, Corey Alexander will join his teammate James Rispoli in the final Daytona Sport Bike race of the season at Laguna Seca this weekend. The National Guard Celtic Racing crew has been working hard to make the necessary changes to bring Corey's bike up to Daytona Sport Bike specifications. James and Corey spent the 2012 season riding together in Super Sport, with James winning the overall 2012 Super Sport Championship, as well as the West Championship before making the switch to Daytona Sport Bike for 2013.

Corey Alexander had a great weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, qualifying on pole and finishing on the podium twice before securing his 2013 championship. Alexander has always enjoyed and found success while racing at Laguna Seca in the past, and is eager to put his speed and confidence to good use in front of the World Superbike audience. Alexander will be riding his National Guard Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R 600 with the #23 plate on the front in Daytona Sport Bike. Corey said enthusiastically that "I'm really excited for this weekend as I get to make my debut in the Daytona Sport Bike class. After winning the championship I can go into the last race of the year stress free, and just work for a good result. Most importantly I plan to have a great weekend representing the National Guard Celtic Racing team beside my teammate James Rispoli. Thanks to the team sponsors as well as my personal sponsors Arai Helmets, AMMO NYC, Spidi Leathers, Hudson Valley Motorcycles, Jason Pridmore's Star School, MJRS Freeman Racing, and XPD Boots for supporting me all year!"

James Rispoli arrives at Laguna Seca tied for fifth place in the standings, having been consistently fast all season, and never finishing below eighth place. Rispoli will ride the #43 National Guard Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R 600 to fight for the 2013 Rookie Of The Year title, and knows the points will be hard fought with his friend Jake Lewis. "I'm ready to fight for Rookie Of The Year! Before the last race at New Jersey, my National Guard Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R was really improved. I would like to keep that momentum rolling at Laguna, with a podium finish! Big shout out to all my fans and supporters, especially my personal sponsors AGV Helmets, Dainese Leathers, Spider Grips, Techmounts, and Monster Energy - I couldn't have come this far without you!"

Celtic Racing was established in 2001 by Barry Gilsenan, and over the past 12 seasons has established itself as a premier privateer racing team. Development of riding talent began with two-stroke 125cc, and 250cc machines competing in professional and regional championship events. More recent Celtic Racing efforts have focused on AMA Pro Road Racing in the Daytona SportBike and SuperSport classes with Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha four stroke motorcycles. Gilsenan's talent for coaching racers of all ages and abilities has brought Celtic Racing worldwide attention and recognition, with many former Celtic Racing riders now competing on World Championship levels. Please join Celtic Racing on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CelticRacing .

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

The National Guard is the oldest military branch. Today, Citizen-Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while training part time, staying ready to defend America in the event of an emergency. The National Guard serves both state and federal governments. During local emergencies, Guard units assist residents endangered by storms, floods, fires and other disasters. Guard companies deployed overseas may see combat, but are often found building schools and hospitals, training local peacekeepers or teaching local farmers more efficient techniques and better uses of their land. Please visit www.nationalguard.com to find out more.

ORIENT EXPRESS

Established in 1973, Orient Express is celebrating it's 40th year as a high performance motorcycle parts distributor and race shop. Orient Express offers engine and motorcycle building services, precision machine work, suspension servicing, and dyno tuning services. Orient Express has an extensive history of racing, including support of both professional and amateur race series and individuals. For more information regarding Orient Express, or to find out what Orient Express can do for your racing success, please call 800.645.6521 or 631.231.9552 (NY/International), visit www.orientexpress.com or join them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OrientExpressRacing .

More, from a press release issued by Geiger Media on behalf of AMSOIL:

SALINAS, Calif. (Sept. 25) - The 14th and final race of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season has EBR pros Geoff May and Aaron Yates arriving at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with a go-for-broke mentality.

"It's time to win or crash trying," May said. "That's kind of the attitude to have because there's no reason to hold anything back. I can move up a few spots in the points but I can't move down, so I really have nothing to lose.

"No matter what, I think something drastic is going to happen at Laguna."

May, who rides the Team Hero/AMSOIL EBR, and stablemate Aaron Yates, rider of the AMSOIL/Hero EBR, already secured top-10 positions in the final rankings, a respectable result considering the break-neck development of their racing machines. Currently, May is eighth in the points, followed by Yates in ninth.

But racers always want more, and the duo long for season-best finishes in California in their second visit of the year to Laguna Seca's historic 2.23-mile, 11-turn layout.

"We had a pretty good race last time we were there," said Yates, who has seven top-10 results this season. "The setup we had was decent and we've improved on it since then. What we finished with (at the last tour stop) in New Jersey was really close to being on the money. I'm looking forward to getting back on track and finding the podium.

"I firmly believe we've got a shot at a good finish, and we'd like to end the year on a strong note for all the guys on this team that have put in so much hard work."

The AMA Pro Road Racing finale will run within the structure of the FIM Superbike World Championship, which is also taking place over the weekend.

"Racing in front of those World Superbike crews, I know our guys will want to put on an extra good showing," Yates said. "I believe it will happen. Everybody has been there before and have a handle on what the track is like. It's going to be work but interesting to see how it all goes down.

"Laguna is a flowing track and it's not as abrasive as some of the other tracks we go to. We won't have much issue with tires. It's going to be cooler since we're racing in the morning, but I think our Dunlops will hold up fine. Even if they slide around a little, that's ok with me. I like it like that."

May says having the high-horsepower World Superbikes put some extra rubber down on the track surface will help the EBRs perform to peak capacity.

"I love Laguna because you can really ride hard there," said May, who has 11 top-10 results, including the last nine races in a row. "You don't suffer the tire deterioration that you have at some other tracks because it's so smooth there. The groove will be filled in nicely with all the traffic it's going to get, so that will play to our favor. We've found some grip and a little extra horsepower since the last race, so we're ready to rip it up."

Friday's action includes a practice session at 10:15 a.m. and the first qualifying round at 1:30 p.m. On Saturday, Yates and May will have one more look at the track at 12:40 p.m. during the final round of qualifying. The 23-lap, 50-mile main event is slated to begin at 10:40 a.m., Sunday.

More, from a press release issued by Riders Discount Triumph:

Riders Discount Triumph Looking To End Season On A High Note At Laguna Seca

The closing round of the AMA Daytona Sportbike season is now just days away and the Riders Discount Triumph semi is about to roll into the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the second, and final time this year. The season has had its ups and downs, but both of the team’s riders, Joey Pascarella and Jake Zemke, are more than ready take to the track aboard their 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R’s for their last AMA ride of the year. The team’s previous outing in New Jersey may have had mixed results, with Zemke capturing two top tens and Pascarella running into bad luck in both races, but there was lot of developmental progress made with the bikes. Everyone involved with the team is looking forward to a strong finale as they share the Laguna Seca paddock with the World Superbike Championship this weekend.

"I’m very excited heading into Laguna,” said Joey Pascarella. “Its always nice to not only race close to home, but also to have it be a track that I enjoy as much as this one. The team has been putting a lot of effort into working on the bikes and we’ve made a lot of progress in the weeks leading up to this round. I have a good feeling about this weekend and think it will be a good one on the Riders Discount Triumph."

“I'm really looking forward to the race this weekend at Laguna Seca,” commented Zemke. “The Riders Discount team made some great improvements to the Triumph last time out, and I know they’ve been working on the bikes non-stop since then. The crew and I are excited to get back out to the track so that we can see how much more we can get out of the bike. I’ve only been with the team for a few races, but I’m looking to finish off the season strong.”

Team manager Bree Poland had this to say, “I can't believe we have just one round left! The team has really come together and we are starting to see some major progress. We may not have lit the world on fire with our results this year, but had we had a little more time I think we would have. The riders have been great as well. This is my third season working with Joey Pascarella and I believe in his talent. I would love to see him leave Laguna with a good finish. Bringing Jake on the team for the last few rounds was a really good choice as well. He has really helped bring our program to the next level.”

“I want to personally thank Triumph for providing us the opportunity to race their bikes”, she went on to say. “As well as all of our sponsors who have supported us and stood by our side. I'm hoping that we can do everyone proud at Laguna this weekend, and go into the off-season on a positive note.”

RidersDiscount.com is an online retailer of quality powersports gear, apparel and accessories. A company founded by racers,RidersDiscount.com ships equipment for every riding style to customers worldwide, backed by knowledgeable sales team and excellent customer service.

Triumph Motorcycles (www.TriumphMotorcycles.com) is the British motorcycle marque that produces a wide range of sport, cruiser, adventure and touring motorcycles. From the storied Bonneville to the class-leading Speed Triple and Daytona 675R, Triumph offers a blend of design, character and performance that result in truly distinctive motorcycles. First established in 1902 and now located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, Triumph has always set the pace for category-winning machines. The company is solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd. and its North American operations are based in Atlanta.